Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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122. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the supports in funding being made available to private bus operators during the Covid-19 pandemic that employ significant numbers of persons locally; if he will include private operators in the supports being provided to companies such as CIÉ; if his attention has been drawn to the need for supports to private operators in the interest of regional jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14286/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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On 25 June the Government approved temporary funding supports, in accordance with EU and national legislation, for the licensed bus sector. Licensed operators provide essential transport services for people who need to get to work and are vital to ensure economic recovery. The support is aimed at ensuring the continued operation of essential licensed bus services for a period of up to six months. The package will be restricted to operators where a clear public interest justification supports such intervention and will be targeted at compensating the gap between specified costs and the revenues generated on the services.

The National Transport Authority (NTA), as the public transport licensing agency, will administer the support through the establishment of contracts between the NTA and the relevant operators.